
98n
ASC+T/DSC
*
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly 
after you switch on the ignition. 
Refer to page 21.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive 
torque and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine is started, or if it comes on 
during normal driving:
There is a system malfunction or the 
system was deactivated with the 
button. You can still drive the vehicle 
normally without ASC+T/DSC. 
Please consult your BMW center for 
repairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp 
lights up and remains on continuously.
Depending on equipment options, the 
button is marked with ASC or DSC.
With deactivated ASC+T/DSC you are 
driving with conventional, unregulated 
torque transfer.
In the following exceptional situations, 
it may be effective to deactivate the 
ASC+T/DSC for a brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.390us728
To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with ASC+T/DSC. 
An appropriate driving style always 
remains the responsibility of the driver. 
Do not use the extra safety margins 
furnished by these systems as an 
excuse for taking unnecessary risks.< Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
*
DBC is an integral component of the 
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the 
brake pedal by automatically braking 
the vehicle with maximum boost to 
achieve the shortest possible braking 
distances during "panic stops." This 
system exploits all the benefits of ABS. 
Do not reduce the pressure exerted 
against the brake pedal until the 
braking maneuver has been completed. 
DBC is deactivated when you release 
the brake pedal. 

101n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Parking lamps (side marker 
lamps)
With the switch in this position, 
the front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on.
For lighting on one side for parking as 
an additional feature, refer to page 102.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off 
while the low beams are on, the 
headlamps go out and only the 
parking lamps (side marker lamps) 
remain on.
390de732
"Follow me home":
When you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle and 
switching off the lights, the low beams 
will come on for a brief period. You may 
also have this function deactivated if 
you wish.< 
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhen the driver's door is opened with 
the ignition key at position 0 a chime 
will sound for several seconds to 
remind you that you have forgotten to 
switch off the lights
.
Vehicles with alphanumeric Check 
Control
*:
The reminder is provided by the Check 
Control, refer to page 85.
Daytime driving lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically 
switched on for daytime driving at 
ignition key position 2.
Automatic headlamp control
*
When the switch is set to this 
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the 
low beams in response to changes in 
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.) 
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights 
remain on constantly when you 
switch on the front fog lamps after the 
headlamps have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlamp control 
cannot serve as a substitute for 
the driver's judgement in determining 
when the vehicle lights should be 
switched on. For example, the sensors 
are not able to detect fog. To avoid 
safety risks, you should respond to 
these kinds of low-visibility situations 
by switching the headlamps on manu-
ally.<
You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
Parking lamps/Low beams 

102n
Instrument lighting
High beams/Standing lamps
Fog lamps
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.390de733
1 High beams 
(blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher 
(blue indicator lamp)
3 Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can 
illuminate your vehicle on either side 
for parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push 
the lever in the appropriate direction. 
The lever engages in the turn signal 
position.390de722
Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
indicate that the front fog lamps 
are on.
If the high beams are switched on, the 
fog lamps go out.
If the automatic headlight control 
is on, the low beams will come on 
automatically whenever you activate 
the fog lamps.<
390us735 

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic climate control
*
Residual heating mode
The heat which is stored in 
the engine is utilized for 
heating the interior when the engine 
has been switched off (while waiting at 
a railroad crossing, for instance).
In ignition key position 1, you can alter 
the settings of the automatic climate 
control. In ignition key position 0, the 
system automatically directs heated air 
to the windshield, side windows and 
footwells. 
This function is available for oper-
ation when the outside tempera-
ture is below approximately 59 7 
(15 6), with the engine warm from 
recent operation and an adequate 
charge in the battery. The LED on the 
button will light up when all conditions 
have been met.< 
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the air outlets for the 
upper body area completely for your 
personal comfort:
1 Rotary dials for infinitely-variable 
opening and closing of the vent 
outlets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 Rotary dial allows you to control the 
temperature of the airflow as desired:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer.390de685
Rear passenger area ventilation1 Rotary dial for infinitely-variable 
opening and closing of the vent 
outlets
2 Selector levers for airflow direction
3 The rotary dial operates in the same 
way as the front dial to adjust the 
temperature of the emerging air.390de686 

116n
Glove compartment Storage compartmentsTo openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.To closeFold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an 
accident, close the glove 
compartment immediately after use.< 390de738
To lockUse one of the master keys. A master 
key is also required for unlocking.
For example, if you turn over only 
your door and ignition keys for 
valet parking (refer to page 32), access 
to the glove compartment is not 
possible.< Rechargeable flashlight
*
Located on the left-hand side of the 
glove compartment.
Features integral overload-protection, 
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is 
switched off when it is inserted 
into its holder. To avoid completely 
discharging and possibly damaging the 
lamp, always ensure that it is switched 
off before inserting it in the socket.< 
The cover of the storage compartment 
on the vertical surface of the center 
console can be pushed open or closed 
(illustration). If your vehicle is equipped 
with a cassette holder
*, open each 
cassette compartment by pressing on 
the small button.
Storage compartment on the center 
console between the front seats: to 
open, reach into the recess at the front 
and pull upward.
You will find a coin holder in the door 
pocket on the driver's side.
You will find additional storage 
compartments in all of the doors as well 
as on the backrests of the front seats.
390de739 

118n
Cigarette lighter
*
Ashtray, rear
Press the cover panel for access 
(arrow), then push the lighter down.
You can remove the lighter from its 
socket for use as soon as it snaps back 
out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette 
lighter by the knob only. Holding 
or touching it in other areas could result 
in burns. 
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been 
removed. 
For this reason, do not leave unsuper-
vised children in the vehicle.< 390us737
Cigarette lighter socketThis socket is suitable for attaching 
power supplies for flashlights, car 
vacuum cleaners and other appliances 
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at 
12 volts. Avoid damage to the socket 
caused by inserting plugs of different 
shapes or sizes.Non-smoker's equipment 
packageOn vehicles with the non-smoker's 
equipment package, the socket is 
concealed by a cover.
For access to the socket: lift off the 
cover.
To emptyPress the edge of the cover (arrow). 
The ashtray moves up and can be 
removed.390de744 

123n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Luggage compartment Ð sport wagonFold the rear backrests downReach into the recess and pull upward 
(arrow).
The rear backrest is divided into two 
sections (one-third and two-thirds of 
the width of the seat). You can fold 
either section of the backrest down 
separately in order to increase the 
capacity of the cargo area.
When you close the backrest, be 
sure that the catch engages 
securely. The red warning indicator 
disappears in the recess when the 
retainer is locked.
The center safety belt can be retracted 
only when the larger backrest is 
engaged.<392de753
Roll-up coverPull the roll-up cover out and hook it 
into the rear bracket.
The cover will support light objects 
such as items of clothing.
Do not place heavy or bulky 
objects on the roll-up cover, 
otherwise, they could endanger occu-
pants while braking hard, during 
evasive maneuvers, or in an accident, 
for example.
Do not allow the cover to snap back, 
since this could damage it.<
For storing the case, refer to the next 
page.392de754
Partition netPull out the partition net by the strap 
and hold the bar firmly in the other 
hand. Then grasp the bar on both sides, 
pull it up and engage it in the holders. It 
is easiest to do this from the back seat.
Do not allow the partition net to 
snap back. Doing so could pose a 
risk of injury and the partition net could 
be damaged.<
When the rear backrests are folded 
down, you can store the case in front of 
the rear seats, pull the partition net out 
from there and insert it in the front 
holders (refer to the next page).392de163 

126n
Luggage compartment  Cargo loadingRaise the cargo floorFor access to the compartment under 
the floor or to the spare tire, etc.:
>Raise the cargo floor and secure it 
with the support rod (arrow)
>Open the quick-release fasteners on 
the spare tire cover.392de756
Stowing cargoWhen transporting loads in your BMW:
>Position heavy loads as far forward 
as possible Ð directly behind the 
backrests or the luggage compart-
ment partition panel Ð and at the 
bottom (the illustration shows the 
sport wagon)
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the 
top edge of the backrest
>Pull out the partition net
* (refer to 
page 123) and ensure that carried 
items cannot pass through the parti-
tion net
>For very heavy loads when the rear 
seat is not occupied, secure each 
safety belt in the opposite buckle.
392de177
Securing the load>Secure smaller, light pieces with the 
retaining straps or a luggage net
*, or 
use elastic straps (refer to page 42)
>For large, heavy pieces, visit your 
BMW center for load-securing 
devices
*. Anchorages are provided 
at the corners of the luggage 
compartment for attaching these 
load-securing devices (the illustration 
shows the sport wagon)
>Read and comply with the informa-
tion enclosed with the load-securing 
devices.
392de178